Military fighter jets were scrambled to accompany a Turkish Airlines flight following a reported “terrorist threat” involving concerns raised by the pilot regarding a potential onboard device. The Airbus A321 aircraft, carrying seven crew members and 148 passengers, departed from Istanbul in the early hours and landed at Barcelona-El Prat Airport at 11 am with suspicions of an artifact aboard.
The Catalan news outlet revealed that the aircraft was escorted by military planes after the detection of a threat over the Mediterranean Sea in Italian airspace before arriving in Barcelona. Elements from the Spanish and French armed forces were part of the operation, leading to the safe landing of the flight at the airport.
Upon landing, the plane circled the runway several times before being directed to a secure area. Subsequently, Civil Guard officers boarded the aircraft as emergency services mobilized at the scene. Despite ongoing checks on all luggage, no explosives have been found, ensuring that regular airport operations remain unaffected, albeit with heightened vigilance through the activation of a crisis response team.
Airport security experts familiar with protocols noted that the current situation is likely a false alarm based on available information. Passengers have been relocated to a designated area within the airport, where arrangements are being made to inform their families promptly.